A Study of Teachers' Opinions Toward and Knowledge of Rural Gifted and Talented
This study was conducted to determine the awareness of rural elementary classroom teachers regarding their role in identifying and instructing creative and academically gifted students. A comprehensive review of the talented and gifted concept, based on research findings, was presented. An opinionnaire was constructed and then distributed to elementary teachers in eleven rural school districts surrounding Springfield, Missouri. The analysis of the data indicated that an extremely small percentage of rural gifted individuals were being identified and provided with differentiated education programs. The negligence in identifying the gifted, assessing their psycho-educational needs, and modifying curriculum designs was a result of inadequate administrative leadership combined with ineffective preservice and inservice training for rural elementary teachers.
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